Virtual Museum — the history of surveying and mapping in Queensland
Timeline
Before 1824
Survey tools
- Calculations—Earliest forms of calculations.
Cartographic foundations
- Early cartographic history—Earliest record of maps.
- Early mapping of the Australian coast—'The great southern continent' and European advancement.
- Early mapping within Australia—First maps in Australia before Queensland separation.
Associated mapping activities
- Printing—Invention of lithography.
1824 to 1842
Surveyors
- The first surveyors—Surveys around Brisbane.
- Surveyors and the Aboriginal people—Convicts untrustworthy.
Doing the survey
- Establishing Queensland's borders—Determining the Queensland - New South Wales border.
Cartographic foundations
- Early mapping within Australia—Mapping the coast and dividing the land.
Survey tools
- Circumferentor—Using the circumferentor.
Associated mapping activities
- Naming of places—Using Aboriginal names.
1843 to 1859
Surveyors
- The first surveyors—Explorers push inland and establish new settlement.
- Surveyors and the Aboriginal people—Conflict with the natives.
Doing the survey
- Camps—Tents as accommodation.
- Doing the survey—Instruments used in the survey.
- Transport—Horse and cart the prime mode of transport.
Survey tools
- Chains—First use of the perambulator and Gunter's chain.
- Perambulator—Use of the surveyor's wheel.
Associated mapping activities
- Titles registry—First dealings of land administration.
1860 to 1880
Surveyors
- Examinations and progressions—Qualifications under different Acts.
- Surveyors and the Aboriginal people—Valuable assistants.
- Verifying the surveys—Penalty for substandard surveys.
- Institution of surveyors—Inauguration.
Doing the survey
- Establishing Queensland's borders—Surveying the Queensland - New South Wales border and 'the bend'.
- Doing the survey—Surveyors' commitment.
- Food—Obtaining provisions from the land and squatters.
- Things that bite, scratch and sting—Sandy blight and nettles test surveyors' resilience.
- Too much or too little water—Difficulties encountered during floods.
- Transport—The fate of the trusty horse.
Survey tools
- Chains—Using Gunter's chain and the flat steel tape.
- Perambulator—Correcting for terrain.
- Circumferentor—Measuring direction.
Mapping types
- Cadastral—Queensland takes on surveying and mapping.
- Topographic—The state's first topographic map.
- Themed—The first general purpose maps.
- Braille—Braille technology reaches Australia.
Associated mapping activities
- Place names—Place naming given to Queensland government.
- Printing—Printing procedures for reproduction of maps.
- Titles registry—Subdivision of freehold land and their historical descriptions.
- Land Administration Commission—Commissioners execute crown land dealings.
Cartographers
- A draftsman's lot—Examinations for draftsmen introduced.
1881 to 1900
Surveyors
- Examinations and progression—Board of examiners.
- Surveyors and the Aboriginal people—Finding hidden wells.
- Verifying the surveys—Checking the work.
- Institution of surveyors—Ups and downs of the Institute.
Doing the survey
- Establishing Queensland's borders—Surveying the South Australian and Northern Territory borders.
- Camps—Temporary camps away from the main camp.
- Things that bite, scratch and sting—Flies, mosquitoes and leeches.
- Too much or too little water—Coping with little water rations.
- Transport—Transportation by boat and horse.
Survey tools
- Chains—Disadvantages of Gunter's chain.
- Chain standardisation—Establishing standards for chain and tape comparisons.
- Perambulator—Innaccuracies of the perambulator.
- Calculations—The surveyor's calculations.
Mapping types
- Cadastral—Various scale mapping series.
- Topographic—Maps resulting from a threat of war.
- Themed—Variable themes for different mapping requirements.
Associated mapping activities
- Naming of places—Continuation of Aboriginal place naming.
- Geodetic datum—County Arbitrary Meridian adopted.
- Printing—Lithographic stone copied.
- Titles registry—Prosperous land sales lead to new registries.
Cartographers
- A draftsman's lot—Depression depletes staff numbers.
1901 to 1920
Surveyors
- Examinations and progression—Authorised surveyors replace their licensed counterparts.
- Institution of surveyors—Annual dinner.
- Surveyors overseas—Respect for Queensland surveyors overseas.
- World War I (1914-1919) honour board—Memorial to serving officers.
Doing the survey
- Food—Provisions and the cook.
- Things that bite, scratch and sting—Combatting infestations of Prickly Pear.
- Too much or too little water—A recipe for producing drinkable water.
- Surveying for topographic mapping by the army—Need for maps for World War I.
Survey tools
- Chain standardisation—Towards early decimilisation.
Mapping types
- Cadastral—Vigorous growth in workload.
- Topographic—Goldfields portrayed topographically.
- Themed—Road maps in demand.
- Braille—The use of a three dimensional tactual globe.
Associated mapping activities
- Printing—Advancements in printing processes.
Cartographers
- A draftsman's lot—Drafting staff again reduced and then slowly increased.
1921 to 1950
Surveyors
- Surveyors overseas—Working in different countries.
Doing the survey
- Camps—Family camp.
- Food—A diet of fresh wildlife.
- Too much or too little water—Finding water.
- Surveying for topographic mapping by the army—World War I revitalises the need for topo mapping.
- Transport—Transportation and the motor vehicle.
Survey tools
- Chain standardisation—A standard reference constructed in Brisbane.
Mapping types
- Cadastral—New cadastral series developed.
- Topographic—States begin preparation of topographic maps.
- Themed—A demand for maps as a result of World War II.
Associated mapping activities
- Place names—Unofficial place names system.
- Aerial photography and remote sensing—The progression of aerial photography capture.
- Geodetic datum—Longitude values determined by time signals.
- Printing—Zinc plates replace stone.
- Titles registry—A new progressional numerical system.
- Land Administration Commission—The Land Administration Board is created.
Mapping tools
- Lettering—Methods of lettering.
Cartographers
- A draftsman's lot—Progression of draftsmen and quality of output.
1951 to 1985
Surveyors
- Examinations and progressions—Articled pupils.
- Institution of surveyors—Individual state institutions unite.
Doing the survey
- Camps—Changes in accommodation.
- Doing the survey—Information recorded in the fieldbook.
Survey tools
- Chain standardisation—Surveyor's current tape reference.
- Calculations—A clever mechanical calculator.
Mapping types
- Cadastral—Map numbering system and digital mapping.
- Topographic—Survey Office establishes a topographic section.
- Themed—Production of a large range of tourist maps.
- Braille—A crude map of Australia.
Associated mapping activities
- Place names—Place names act passed in parliament.
- Aerial photography and remote sensing—Australia captured in photography.
- Printing—Offset lithography.
- Titles registry—A new method of descibing historical descriptions.
- Land Administration Commission—Delegations of the Commission.
Mapping tools
- Scribe tool—Use of the scribe tool.
Cartographers
- A draftsman's lot—Institute of Cartographers established.
1986 to the present
Surveyors
- Institution of surveyors—Name and structure change.
Doing the survey
- Doing the survey—Information recorded in the field book.
- Transport—Reaching inaccessible areas.
Survey tools
- Chains—Technological advancements in measuring distances.
- Calculations—Automated calculations.
Mapping types
- Cadastral—Digital acquisition at a rapid rate.
- Topographic—The digital march forward.
- Themed—Intense focus on the tourism industry.
- Braille—Innovative maps for measuring.
Associated mapping activities
- Place names—New place names acts passed.
- Aerial photography and remote sensing—Transition from analytical to digital technology.
- Geodetic datum—A national change of datum.
- Titles registry—Computerised collection and delivery of titles information.
- Land Administration Commission—The Lands Commission ceases.
- Printing—Digital printing workflows emerge.
Mapping tools
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)—Digital spatial mapping.
Cartographers
- A draftsman's lot—Education growth.
| Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Last updated 08 August 2008.
© The State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources and Water) 2008.
Other languages